Pruning-shears.



0. 'W. WASHBURN. PBUNING SHEARS. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 18, 190B.

Patented 0ct.12,1909.

' UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIoE.

CLARENCE W. WASHBURN,-

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK.

PnUNInG-sHEAns.

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed November 18, 1908.Serial N 0. 463,223.

ments therein whereby the same may be.

used for cutting wire, and also in the provision of a novel latchingmechanism for retaining the shears in a closed position against thetension of a spring.

In carrying out the objects of the invention as generally stated aboveit will of course be obvious that the essential features are susceptibleof modifications as to details, but a preferred and practical embodimentof the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein a Figure1 is a side elevation of the improved pruning shears, showlng the samein a closed posltion. Fig. 2 1s a similar view,

' taken from the opposite side and showing the shears in an openposition. Fig.3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 3--3,Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an elevation of the rear end of the shears showingthelatching mechanism for retaining the same in a closed position. Fig. 5is a sectional view taken on the line 55, Fig. 2.

Like characters of reference designate corresponding parts.

The invention embodies in its general organization two pivotallyconnected opposing jaws l and 2, respectively, the jaw 1 being providedwith the usual convexed outer surface 3 which facilitates the use of theshears with said surface 3 resting n the ground, and the concavedcutting surface or edge 4.

The inner end portion of the cutting edge 4 is arranged in a straightplane to form one member of a wire cutter, said. portion beingdesignated by the numeraland is formed by beveling off the side thereofat a greater angle than the side of the cutting edge 4, so that it willbe considerablythicker to withstand the greater cutting strain that isimposed thereon. The opposite jaw 2 has a convexed cutting edge 6 andsaid jaw is preferably formed thinner than the jaw 1 and is providedwith a thickened neck 7 at its inner port-ion ad acent to its pivotalconnection 8 Patented Oct. 12, 1909.

with the jaw 1. Said neck has its inneredge beveled off to provide astraight cutting edge 9 complemental-to the cutting'edge 5 of the jaw 1and with which it cooperates to form a wire cutter.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings, itwill be observedthat the convexed cutting jaw 6 of the 'shearshas asomewhat abrupt junction with the wire cutter 9 which provides a stopshoulder 10 that .serves to prevent the wire passing from the wirecuttin edge 9 to the .more delicate cutting'edge o the said 1 and 2.

The handles 11 and 12 of the cutting jaws are each provided with aninwardly projecting pin 13 which serves asholding means for a spring 14that is interposed between said handles and which exerts a constantpres-' sure tending to force said handles apart. Said spring ispreferably of the convolute type shown, but it will of course be obviousthat other types of spring may be employed. The end of the handle 11terminates in an inturned extension 15 which is bifurcated to form pivotears 16 for the reception 0. i1

pivot pin 17 upon which a latch 1.8 is mount ed. Said latch has a narrowelongated stem 19 which is of such a'size that it may be freely swungbetween said pivot ears and its latching head 19 has its free edge 20beveled or rounded and at its junction wit-h said stem '19, is providedwith oppositely disposed outstanding. and beveled shoulders 21; The

handle 12 also has its end inturned, as indicated at 22, the rear faceof which is pro vided with oppositely disposed outstanding abutment lugs23 whichare spaced apart a suflicient distance to permit of the stem 19of the latch '18 to be placed between them, and

on their rear faces are provided with a beveled notch 24 which forms theend of a recess 25 formed in the said rear face of the inturned end 22,said recess 25 being inclined or concaved. I

The described arrangement of latch and latch receiving recess 25 is suchthat when said parts are engaged as indicated in Fig. 4, the beveled,shoulders 21 ofthe latching head 19 will fit snugly within the bevelednotches 24 of the abutment lugs 23, wit-h the ste1n19 between said lugs,which holds the inturned ends of the handles '11 and 12 closely adjacentone another. To release the latch from the recess, the said handles arebrought together, which movement causes the latching head to leave thenotches 24 and ride up the inclined, or concavedbottom of said recess.25 to a position where the latch may be swung on its pivot to clear saidrecesses and notches. Such movement of the latch being, of coursegreatly facilitated by reason of itsfree edge 20 being rounded orbeveled.

The cutting j'awQ is preferably provided with-an upstanding point 26 ata point adjacent to the center of its outer edge, from which. point saidedge curves in opposite directions as indicated at 27 and 28, to formconcave tearing edges and intermediate tearing point, the object ofwhich is well understood.

- From, the foregoing description it will be understood that the presentinvention is one that is of es eeial value for gardening use in which pvision is made for the cutting of wire orthelike incidental to workabout hedges, fences (Sac, such Work usually requiring the gardener tobe provided with two separate t0ols,"one for cutting wire andthe of thegardener with its consequent danger of tearing the garmentsv and alsoinjuring the user.

' Claims 1. A device of the character described comprising twooppositely disposed pivot- ,ally connected .jaws provided respectivelywith a concaved and a convexed cutting edge, said concaved and convexedcutting vexed cutting edge forming a stop shoulder adapted to preventthe material cut by saidstraight plane edges-passing to the saidconcaved and convex edges, handles for each jaw, a spring interposedbetween the handles, and a latch for holding the handles in a closedposit-ion. f

2. A device of the character described comprising a pair of oppositelydisposed pivotally connected handles having a cutting jaw at one end,the other end of said handles being inturned, one of said inturned endsbeing provided with outstanding spaced apart lugs having beveled notchesformed in them, said end being also provided with an inclined recesswhich terminates at said notches, the other inturned end being providedwith pivot cars, a latch pivotally mounted between said pivot ears andprovided with an elongated stem and a head the free edge of which isrounded and whose opposite edge is provided with outstanding beveledshoulders, whereby said latch may be interlocked with the inclinedrecess with its stem'resting between the outstanding lugs and itsshoulders .in-said beveled notches, and-a spring interposed between saidhandles and exerting a pressure tending to force the same apart.

In testimony whereof I hereuntoaifix my signature in presence-of-twowitnesses.

CLARENCE W. WVASHBURN; Witnesses:

E. T. STErrENs, JOSEPH LEE.

